Geoffrey Mutai To Run Berlin Marathon

Even though he’s the world’s fastest marathoner, Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya was left off his nation’s Olympic squad. In order to show the world that he’s a force to be reckoned with, Mutai will be running the BMW Berlin Marathon this September.

“We are pleased to have Geoffrey Mutai run the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. He is one of the best athletes in the world and will have the opportunity to prove it on the fast Berlin course,” said race director Mark Milde on Tuesday.

In 2010, Mutai ran the Berlin course and finished just two seconds behind Patrick Makau, clocking 2:05:10. Makau later went on to set a world-record on the same course in 2011.

Mutai has covered the 26.2 miles faster than Makau, but his time at Boston in 2011 (2:03:02) didn’t count because of the course’s point-to-point nature and unallowable drop prevent it from counting toward world records.

“I am familiar with the Berlin course and know that you can run very fast here. If the weather is good, there is nothing in the way of a fast time,” said Mutai.

Duncan Larkin

Duncan Larkin is a freelance journalist and author who’s been covering the sport of running for over a decade. He’s run 2:32 in the marathon and won the Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race in 2007. He wrote the book RUN SIMPLE, and coaches runners of all abilities.
You can learn more about him here: http://roadsmillslaps.tumblr.com/about